FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is ENGIE?

ENGIE North America is based in Houston, Texas. The company develops, constructs, owns and operates nearly 8 gigawatts of renewable energy facilities, such as solar and wind, across the country. Currently, the company's renewable portfolio in North America can meet the electrical needs of more than 1.5 Million U.S. homes. ENGIE North America is committed to a sustainable future and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045.

Why solar?

Our climate is changing, and the effects are all around us – unusual weather patterns, extended and severe drought and more intense storms. These impacts have high costs, both economically and in terms of the quality of our lives. Solar power is clean, reliable and affordable, and it’s an important part of the transition away from using fossil fuels, which produce greenhouse gases and cause climate change.

How big is the Twin Lakes Solar project, and how much land will it use?

The 150-megawatt Twin Lakes Solar project will use approximately 850 acres of private land. The project is designed to accommodate using the land for other purposes such as farming or pollinator habitat, thereby increasing the overall productivity of the project footprint.

Where will the power from the Twin Lakes Solar project go?

The power from the Twin Lakes Solar project will be delivered to the local electric grid, helping to make Indiana’s energy portfolio more diverse and reliable.

How will Twin Lakes Solar generate power in the winter – especially when it snows?

Cold, sunny weather is actually ideal for solar panel performance! A light dusting of snow has little impact on the panels and is often easily blown off by the wind. And because solar panels are tilted at an angle to capture the maximum amount of sunlight, moderate amounts of snow will melt and slide off the panels within a few hours, cleaning the panels in the process. After heavier snowfalls, the panels will be cleared by facility employees.

Will the Twin Lakes Solar project increase my electricity bill?

No – solar is one of the most affordable sources of new power available today, and many utilities across the country are adding solar to their generation portfolio as a way to reduce costs for their customers!

What happens if the Twin Lakes Solar project goes out of use?

ENGIE is committed to creating a sustainable energy future and to owning and operating our portfolio of renewable energy projects for decades. That said, as part of the permitting process, we must provide a detailed decommissioning plan that is funded by an irrevocable form of financial security to cover decommissioning costs. This ensures that money will be available to cover the cost of removing the solar farm if or when it is no longer operable.

What happens to solar panels at the end of their life?

At the end of a solar facility’s useful life—estimated to be about 30 years on average—panels can be removed and recycled. Recycling programs are being developed that are expected to recover about 90% of the materials used in the panels, much of which is glass.

Will the Twin Lakes Solar project affect the local viewshed?

In most cases, solar farms have minimal visual impacts for the surrounding community. This is particularly true in the case of the Twin Lakes Solar project, because the topography of the site and natural vegetation in the area mean it's visibility from surrounding roadways and residences will be very limited. Our team will abide by the White County ordinance and actively plant a vegetative buffer for neighboring homes.

Will the Twin Lakes Solar project lower property values?

No – extensive studies performed by reputable third parties in communities across the country have shown that solar energy projects have no negative impact on neighboring or local property values. If anything, the economic benefits provided by the project can make an area more attractive to home buyers because the extra revenue can be used to improve roads, schools, and essential community services.